Don Kimball dies

Why am I sharing this news on my blog?

At one time Fr. Don was someone I looked up to very much. A charismatic priest with an uncanny ability to remember virtually everyone's name and inspire the youth of the Catholic church like no other I knew. A DJ and radio personality he used modern music, interesting stories and motivating lectures on a circuit that included the entire nation. I first met Fr. Don when I was only 11 or 12 as he came to Monterey Diocese alot in the 70's. Later in the mid-80's I happened to attend Sonoma State and his Cornerstone Media was a long bike ride away in Santa Rosa, so I became part of the core team while a Jr. in college. The next year, my last, I worked for the company (@ $5 an hour) on brochures and was the designated computer person. Don affectionately named the computer hard drive, "Rick." Soon I was doing radio spots and they were being distributed nationally. I was the first team member to voice for his "One on One" radio show. My topic was on teen suicide, using modern music. I worked under Anna Scally and met many new friends who were either in High School or College. Don was travelling alot and was hard to pin down. My admiration waned over the years, and we had one significant run-in before I graduated and left the area. I had previously imagined travelling the circuit as a junior Don Kimball, but that wasn't in the cards. Thank God.

Many years later it was revealed that Don was stripped of his collar and accused of molesting many young people. I am not one to pass judgement but I have to believe this is no misunderstanding. A flawed man, Kimball had many qualities we looked up to. But apparently, with his volital personality and a pension for drinking wine, he had a very dark side. It came to haunt him so many years later and he was convicted of sex abuse, and soon went on Connie Chung's show to profess his innocence. The U.S. Supreme Court overturned his case due to a statute of limitations law, and he did only 10 months for striking a photographer. A link to the whole story is below.

I have no tolerence for sexual predators. I believe that you can not trust everyone. Priests included. However, it is my belief that many priests are among the most understanding and giving people I've known. And yet I would never condone anything Don did, I am sorry for what become of him. How sad, and yet what a relief.

Ex-priest Kimball, convicted in sex abuse, found dead
Body of former Sonoma County youth minister found in Windsor town house
9/16/06
By MARY CALLAHANAND GUY KOVNERTHE PRESS DEMOCRAT
Donald W. Kimball, the charismatic Catholic youth minister convicted of molesting a 13-year-old girl, was found dead at a Windsor town house early Friday, police said.
See story below